Sexual Abuse – Rape

Sexual Abuse, Assault & Rape Attorneys of San Diego

Experienced Attorneys Fight Against Sexual Assault and Rape in San Diego

Sexual assault and abuse are particularly heinous offenses that leave victims feeling traumatized and helpless. Victims of sexual abuse are not only severely impacted in the short term, but commonly suffer psychological and emotional effects for years after the fact.

Sexual abuse, whether committed by a teacher, employer, doctor, priest, family member or other person, often occurs where there is an imbalance of power between the perpetrator and victim. Our attorneys at Coast Law Group have successfully navigated these most delicate of cases and take great pride in pursuing justice for clients who often feel helpless and ashamed.

Long Term Effects of Sexual Assault or Rape

We know how pervasive the post-traumatic and long-term effects can be for victims and their families. We work with physicians, psychiatrists, counselors, vocational experts, sexual assault/abuse specialists and other professionals to understand and document all the ways in which our clients continue to suffer as a direct result of the abuse. Common symptoms include:

• Nightmares and flashbacks
• Fear of strangers, being alone, or leaving the house
• Depression, anxiety or psychosis
• Substance abuse
• Relationship problems
• Sexual dysfunction or reproductive problems
• Insomnia
• Eating disorders
• Inability to function at work
• Sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• Scarring or disfigurement

If you are a Victim of Sexual Assault

First and foremost, get yourself to safety if you have been sexually assaulted. Once you are out of danger, it is important to take the following steps:

• Seek medical help. Ensure your health is safeguarded and then document the event. Many medical centers have nursing staff trained in sexual trauma and evidence collection. It is common for sexual abuse victims to feel confused and uncertain about pressing charges in the hours and days after an assault. But once the evidence is gone, a case against your attacker may be far more difficult to prove. Cooperating with evidence collection allows victims to assess their legal options in a less frenetic state of mind.
• Report the attack. Finding your voice in a crisis can be tough to do when you feel violated. You did nothing wrong, yet you experience many emotions, including feeling as if you’re to blame because you took a different route home, or you’re embarrassed because you shared a kiss with your aggressor. You may not be at the point of filing a police report but you need to speak with someone about what happened to you, even if it’s anonymously to the  National Sexual Assault Hotline.
• Save evidence. Even if you don’t immediately report your assault or seek medical attention, preserving the items of clothing worn during the attack, text messages or anything else that could serve as valuable evidence is critical in the event you choose to make an official report.
• Find an attorney. When you’re ready, contact Coast Law Group to help pursue justice. Our attorneys work tirelessly to help our clients hold their abusers responsible for their crimes.

When you’ve been the victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse, it’s critical for you to have experienced attorneys on your side.  Get a hold of us today at (760) 942-8505 to get the process started.

Pursuing damages for sexual assault

There are two different justice systems in this country: criminal and civil. In the criminal justice system, a prosecutor decides whether or not to charge a person (the defendant) with a sex crime. If the defendant is found guilty, he or she may be incarcerated and fined. The civil justice system is what allows survivors to bring claims for monetary damages against the defendant. While a guilty plea or verdict can bolster your civil case, it is not necessary in order for you to file a claim. In fact, even if your attacker is found not guilty in criminal court, he or she may still be held liable for your damages, and ordered to compensate you for:

• Your medical expenses
• Your lost wages or loss of future earning potential
• Your pain and suffering
• Your loss of companionship with your partner